Compare Highlights of Central Aia: Kyrgystan's mountains and Uzbekistan's architecture by Audley Travel vs Uzbekistan in 8 days - Cities of the Silk Road - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 16 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 6,068 | $ 2,899 |
| Price Per Day | $ 379 | $ 362 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 7 Breakfasts. ** |
| Description |
Landlocked Uzbekistan is a hinterland of inhospitable desert, and yet it has produced works of such architectural sumptuousness and skill, they’ve beguiled visitors and itinerants for centuries — and they continue to do so. Whether you visit Uzbekistan as part of a longer journey retracing the Silk Route, or as a standalone destination, our specialists will talk you through the country’s primary points of interest. They’ll weave their knowledge of its backstreets, museums, Soviet relics and Islamic sacred sites into your own tailor-made Uzbekistan itinerary. The triptych of madressehs (Islamic schools) gracing Registan Square in the historical city of Samarkand is likely to form the climax to your holiday in Uzbekistan, and our specialists will help you make the most of your visit here. You can complement this with exploring Khiva’s city walls, Tashkent’s teahouses and Bukhara’s marketplaces. Our specialists can also point you toward half-forgotten, lesser-known places: ruined mud-brick fortresses marooned amid desert sands, and once-powerful port towns. |
Travel to the country of blue domes, an evocative dream between East and West, full of madrasas, bazaars, mosques, deserts and palaces that twinkle under the light of the stars. Discover the fortified heart of Khiva, unspoilt Bukhara and legendary Samarkand, in the triangle of the Silk Road. Fall in love with Tashkent, the modern capital, and soak up the history and culture of unique Uzbekistan. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Tashkent.
Day 2 : Tashkent
You will be met at the airport by your driver and guide and driven to your hotel to check in. Once freshened up you'll be collected and taken on a tour of the city. A tour of Tashkent provides an excellent overview of what Uzbekistan and Central Asia have to offer as you take in mosques and markets, as well as the State History Museum.
Day 3 : Khiva
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Urgench. Upon arrival you'll be met by your new driver and, along with your guide, travel to Khiva, a journey of around one hour.
Day 4 : Khiva
You have a full day tour of Khiva today. The city feels very much like an open air museum, and the architecture within the city walls is truly stunning including the blue tilled Kalta-Minor Minaret and Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrassah.
Day 5 : Bukhara
Today you'll be collected from your hotel by your driver and guide and driven to Bukhara. It's a long journey through the desert, which will take at least seven hours.
Day 6 : Bukhara
You have a full day tour of Bukhara today. A fabulous, bustling old city and one that feels very much lived in. You'll sense the atmosphere as you wander the winding, dusty streets of the old town.
Day 7 : Bukhara
Today is free to explore this wonderful old city at your own pace. We'd suggest a visit to one of the cities bazaars, merchant buildings or bath houses.
Day 8 : Samarkand
This morning you'll be collected from your hotel for the drive to the station for your train to Bukhara, a journey of around two and a half hours. On arrival you'll be collection from the station for the drive to your hotel.
Day 9 : Samarkand
Today you have a tour of Samarkand including the magnificent Registan square - the highlight of a visit to Samarkand. The city's grand leafy streets give it a distinctly different feel to other Uzbek cities.
Day 10 : Bishkek
You will be driven back to Tashkent today in time for your onward flight to Bishkek. On arrival you'll be met by your new driver and guide and driven to your hotel.
Day 11 : Karakol
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven along the north shore of Izzyk Kul stopping at Burna tower en route. This is a long journey of around eight hours in total.
Day 12 : Karakol
You will spend today walking through the alpine valleys of Altyn Arashan with your private guide.
Day 13 : Tamga
Today you'll be collected from your hotel and driven to the village of Tamga located on the southern shore of Izzyk kul. En route you'll visit Jeti Oguz canyon around 30 minutes from Karakol.
Day 14 : Song Kol Lake
You will be collectedd from your hotel in Tamga today and driven to your ger on the shore of Song kol. Along the way you'll visit Fairy-tail Canyon and the village of Kockor.
Day 15 : Bishkek
Today you'll be driven from your ger on the shores of Song Kol to Bishkek a drive of around seven hours out of the mountains to the Kyrgyz capital.
Day 16 : International return flight
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready to board a flight* to Tashkent. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: In-flight
Continue with your flight.
Day 3: Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent*, the capital of Uzbekistan, and transfer to the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, exploring the city as you wish. We recommend getting to know the capital with an optional city tour of Tashkent.* Overnight stay in Tashkent. * Your outbound flight may arrive very late in the evening, or in the early hours of the following morning, so you have the option to book early check-in. ** Optional Tashkent Tour (Midday) Take a tour of Tashkent to see the Hasti Imam complex: Barak Kan Madrasa, Kafal Shohi Madrasa, Tilla Seykh mosque and the Museum of Usman Coran. Finally, visit Victory Park. ** Optional Tashkent Tour (Afternoon): Take an afternoon tour of Tashkent to see the highlights of the city and visit the History Museum of Uzbekistan, the White Mosque and the Metro system.
Day 4: Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, set off to visit Tashkent Old Town. Admire Kukeldash Madrasa, the largest in the city. From the Madrasa's towers, the melodic call of prayer is announced. Take a stroll through the exotic Chorsu Bazaar, a covered market whose main building has an elegant turquoise dome. Next, explore the modern part of the city and discover the amazing contrasts as you visit Independence Square, Eternity Square, the amazing Romanov Palace and Amir Temur Square. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Urgench.* Arrive and transfer to Khiva. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Khiva. * Please note: the flight from Tashkent to Urgench will be on the morning of day 3 of your trip, therefore you will have 2 nights in Tashkent instead of 1, and 1 in Khiva instead of 2.
Day 5: Khiva
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off to visit the Itchan-Kala architectural complex, protected by high brick walls and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Khiva was part of the Silk Road Triangle, together with Bukhara and Samarkand. Among its many wonders explore the Kunya Ark Castle, sumptuously decorated; the madrasah Mohammed Rakhmin Khan which houses an interesting museum about the city, and the minaret of Islam Khodja. Next, visit Tash Hovli Palace, built of stone and blue coloured ceramics brought from China. End the visit at the Juma Mosque and the Allakuli Khan Madrasa. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. You also have the option to add an extra tour to the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud.* Overnight stay in Khiva. * Optional Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud Excursion: Discover the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, a philosopher, poet, fighter, tanner craftsman and founder of a branch of Sufism. Afterwards, enjoy the sunset from the Oq-Sheykh Bobo viewpoint.
Day 6: Khiva - Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave by road to Bukhara, southeast of Khiva. During the 8-9 hour journey, cross the Kizil-Kum Desert which means 'red sands' in Arabic and see the historic Amudarya River, which marks the border with Kazakhstan. Arrive in Bukhara in the afternoon, transfer to the hotel and spend any free time exploring this atmospheric city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Bukhara.
Day 7: Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on a comprehensive tour of the UNESCO-protected city of Bukhara. Visit the beautiful Mausoleum of the Samanids, known for its significance to the Islamic faith, the holy spring of Chashmai Ayub and the charming Bolo Hauz Mosque. Afterwards, explore the spectacular Lyabi Hauz Architectural Complex, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Here you can admire two madrasas, sat on the banks of a picturesque lake, as well as a number of eye-catching mosques, which showcase an array of historic architectural styles. Continue the tour of the city with a visit to the Kalyan minaret, part of the Poi Kalyan Architectural Complex. Visit one of the largest mosques in Central Asia: Kalon Mosque and the striking Miri Arab Madrasa before heading to Bukhara's atmospheric bazaar, a huge domed construction home to countless artisan workshops and stalls selling local wares. You can complete your visit by adding an optional tour to the impressive Chor Minor and the Ark Citadel.* Overnight stay in Bukhara. * Optional Ark Citadel & Chor Minor Excursion: Visit the amazing Ark citadel, an imposing fortress dating back to the 5th-century and see the impressive Chor Minor, a historic gatehouse for a now-destroyed madrasa.
Day 8: Bukhara - Samarkand
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the city of Samarkand, located 290 kilometres east of Bukhara. Arrive in Samarkand and, in the afternoon, take a guided city tour. See the legendary Registan Square, where you can admire spectacular madrasas, dating back to between the 4th and 7th-centuries, such as Ulughbek, Shir-Dor and Tilla-Kori. Next, visit the Guri Emir Mausoleum, to explore the tomb of Tamerlane, built in the 15th-century and a precursor and for many later Mughal tombs around the world. Overnight stay in Samarkand.
Day 9: Samarkand - Tashkent
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a visit to Bibi-Khanum Mosque and the charming Siab Bazaar, where locals sell their artisan wares, the perfect place to shop for souvenirs. You also have the option to book an optional tour of the beautiful Shakhi Zinda architectural complex.* In the afternoon, transfer to the station to board a train back to Tashkent. Arrive in the capital of Uzbekistan and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Tashkent. * Optional Shakhi Zinda Architectural Complex Tour: Discover the mind-blowing mosaics of the Shaki Zinda Architectural Complex, home to an ensemble of ancient mausoleums dating back to around the 6th-century. Afterwards, see the beautiful Ulughbek Observatory to trace Uzbekistan's astronomical heritage.
Day 10: Tashkent - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. Spend today at your leisure.* Transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Day 11: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.
